Commodities
USDA Lowers Corn Yield Estimate Amid Drought Concerns
The USDA's latest crop report has lowered the projected average yield for U.S. corn in 2026, citing drought conditions in the Western Corn Belt as a major factor.
The September 11 report estimated the 2026 national corn yield at 178.5 bushels per acre, down from August's estimate of 180.7 bushels per acre.
The USDA also slightly increased its projection for soybean yields in 2026, estimating an average yield of 52.8 bushels per acre, a 0.1 bushel increase from the previous report.
However, despite the slight increase in soybean yields, total U.S. corn production is expected to decrease by around 7.2% compared to last year's record production level.